Oregon St. vs. Stanford - 7 PM - Maples Pavilion - FSN NW
Oregon St. (8-11, 3-5) takes on Stanford (10-9, 3-5), in a battle for eighth place in the Pac-10. due to both teams taking disappointing losses Thursday night. Oregon St. was blown out of Berkeley 85-57by the California Golden Bears, while Stanford lost to Oregon at home for the first time in 25 years, by a 67-59 score.
Fox Sports Northwest will carry the game.
Despite being beaten thoroughly all over the floor, the Beavers got a good game from freshman Devon Collier, who shot 50% from the field, and finished with 14 points. His shooting was in contrast to the team's overall dismal night, as Oregon St. was only 32% from the field. Even worse, they were under 16% on three pointers, just 3 of 19.
To bounce back, the Beavers will need a much better shooting night from the floor.
It was Oregon St.'s second consecutive loss, but fifth in their last six games, prompting Oregon St. coach Craig Robinson to comment “The few thoughts I have, you can’t write down,’’
Stanford though, is in similar straits, having also lost 5 of 6, and in their case, 4 in a row.
Cardinal coach Johnny Dawkins is in a similar position to Robinson, in that Stanford is also a very young team. The Cardinal start two freshmen, including Dwight Powell, who led Stanford against Oregon, with 14 points, and have three freshmen in their rotation, which goes only about 7 deep.
Overall, Stanford has 9 freshmen, and no seniors, on the roster.
Last year, Stanford swept Oregon St. The Beavers suffered one of their worst nights of the season in their visit to Palo Alto, losing 59-35 in a game that was uglier than the score suggests. The Cardinal came out on top 65-55 when they came to Gill later in the season as well.
Oregon St. isn't over-matched physically in the interior by Stanford though, and if Robinson can get his younger players, some of whom seemingly have "hit the wall", as can happen about the time winter term and the conference race settle in on them, all on the same page, it could be the opportunity to regain some confidence and consistency before returning home for next week's toughest home stand of the season, against the Washington schools.
So pop some popcorn, sit back, and stream up Mike Parker's call of the game. And add your observations here. (Or muse about the upcoming baseball campaign.)
Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com